MUNICH (AP) — An unlikely run of injuries has sidelined Bayern Munich's top three goalkeepers and could mean the German champion starts New York-born 16-year-old Leonard Prescott for its upcoming Champions League game against Atalanta.
With first-choice Manuel Neuer recovering from a calf muscle tear, Prescott was on the bench in the Champions League last week as Bayern beat Atalanta 6-1 in the first leg of their round-of-16 encounter.
At the time it seemed mostly like a chance to familiarize a promising young player, who starts for the Bayern under-19 team, with a more professional environment.
Prescott was born in New York but started his playing career at Union Berlin before a 2023 move to Bayern’s academy. He has also played for the German under-17 national team.
Prescott has suddenly become a possible starter after Jonas Urbig was concussed in a collision in the final minute of the game. Backup Sven Ulreich tore his right adductor in Saturday's 1-1 draw at Bayer Leverkusen but stayed on the field. He will be “sidelined for the time being,” Bayern said Sunday, after he was examined following the game.
If Neuer or the others can't recover in time, that could leave Prescott as Bayern's starter against Atalanta on Wednesday after he was also the backup for Ulreich on Saturday.
Among the other goalkeepers under contract to Bayern, reserve-team goalkeeper Leon Klanac has been injured since December and Daniel Peretz is on loan at Southampton.
One other option besides Prescott might be the 19-year-old Jannis Bärtl, who has played reserve games since Klanac's injury and was on the bench for two Bundesliga games this season.
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Bayern players arrive for a training session in Munich, Germany, Monday, March 9, 2026, ahead of the Champions League round of 16 soccer match between Atalanta Bergamo and FC Bayern. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
LONDON (AP) — West Ham beat fellow strugglers Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-0 on Friday and dropped Tottenham into the Premier League drop zone for the first time this season.
Spurs were two points behind the Hammers before heading to Sunderland on Sunday.
Valentín Castellanos scored twice in three minutes midway through the second half after Konstantinos Mavropanos put the Hammers 1-0 up with a header just before halftime.
Konstantinos completed the scoring seven minutes from time with an acrobatic volley from a corner kick.
Wolves remained at the bottom of the league and was almost certain to be relegated.
Neither side excelled in a forgettable first half but West Ham went in a goal to the good when Mavropanos nodded home a cross from Jarrod Bowen.
Castellanos made it two after 66 minutes thanks to a deliciously cheeky assist from Pablo and then the same player added a third three minutes later with a low shot that may have been aided by a slight deflection.
Konstantinos’ fourth was the icing on the cake for the home side that celebrated its first league win in over a month.
“We are extremely happy," Hammers coach Nuno Espirito Santo said. "All of us deserve an evening like this, especially our fans. London Stadium was amazing; it was bouncing with energy even in the hard parts when the game was tough.
“I realize there is still a lot of work to be done yet. We made a big step today, which was important for us, but nothing has changed.”
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West Ham United's Taty Castellanos celebrates scoring their side's third goal of the game during their English Premier League soccer match against Wolverhampton Wanderers in London, Friday, April 10, 2026. (Jordan Pettitt/PA via AP)
West Ham United's Taty Castellanos scores their side's second goal of the game during their English Premier League soccer match against Wolverhampton Wanderers in London, Friday, April 10, 2026. (John Walton/PA via AP)
West Ham United's Konstantinos Mavropanos, center, scores their side's first goal of the game during their English Premier League soccer match against Wolverhampton Wanderers in London, Friday, April 10, 2026. (John Walton/PA via AP)
West Ham United's Konstantinos Mavropanos celebrates scoring their side's fourth goal of the game during their English Premier League soccer match against Wolverhampton Wanderers in London, Friday, April 10, 2026. (Jordan Pettitt/PA via AP)
